serendipity juxtaposition

Sometimes I think about a sign I used to see in NY, in Soho, when I was newly arrived in the city, working for a really cute animator who lived in a loft with his girlfriend and pet rabbit. On the wall of the post office someone - God perhaps? - had written 'everything happens everywhere, all at once.'

So much I want to post.. and it suddenly hit me: it's my blog, I can post whatever I want, I don't need a reason, or rationale. As I was going thru my archives for a meeting coming up, there was something vaguely pleasing, I felt, about this juxtaposition. Something slightly Mrs. Draper about the girl in the top shot, backstage at a Corrie Nielsen show. And the second one was at an amazing art opening: the Richard Hambleton show, curated by Carine Roitfeld's son, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, at the Dairy, sometime last year or so.

And then, lo and behold: just as I was about to post this, out of the blue, my dear friend Stephanie of Style Odyssey tweeted me a message. And I heard from Estelle, of Serendipity2307, a reply to my email, saying she was just about to email me today. I do love Serendipity. And my magic numbers are 23, and 7.

the god of ordinary things

For the past hour or so, I have been quietly sitting with my laptop, lost in the world of photo images. My husband saw me quietly working away and said 'Enjoy it while you can.' You might recall I was leaving for the dentist on Monday. Well when I got there turns out altho said husband was sure my appointment was for 3:25, it was really 2;25, and I had to reschedule. Yes, I'm walking back in the snow today, for 5:15.

While I'm sure no one has died from two shots of novacaine - have they? - in case this is my last post, I want it to be about Toby Jones, whose work is shown here. He lives and works in Sydney, Australia, which immediately has captured my imagination, as my musician brother has been there many times and believes I would love to live there, because of the swimming and everything.





I love the way he has taken the most ordinary household objects - a band aid, the little plastic fish that the soya sauce comes in with take away sushi - and cast them into the most unique pieces of jewellry. (And while we're at it, how DO you spell jewelry? Neither word is right).









Photographed these at the Robinson Pfeffer press day. I loved the way they presented everything on a light box: these images remind me of Man Ray photograms. Oh! And my friend Stephanie, of Style Odyssey, had just tweeted a day or so before that she believed she was a knight in a past life 'because of my obsession with chain mail'. That struck a chord with me. I remember my grandmother, Anna, from Russia - who I never met, she died right after I was born - she had the most beautiful chain mail purse, which I hope I have tucked away safely somewhere here in London. I'm fascinated with chain mail and I love this bracelet and fingerless glove.

You can buy some of Toby Jones' pieces at OKI-NI, altho much of it is sold out. Hopefully, he's in Sydney as we speak, making more. Or if you get really stuck, check with the lovely folk @ Robinson Pfeffer.



I could spend hours lost in his website: and ironically, I was going to frame all these photos in black, as I've done here - before I realised that was the design of his site.

Now off to get some more metal in my mouth. It costs extra for white fillings, so I shall be wearing my jewels in my teeth this holiday season.

we are all connected: six degrees of kevin bacon

This is a collaborative post. Let me try to explain.



While we were in Florida, I finally got to meet my 'blog-friends': '-h', of Pret a Porter P, and Stephanie, of Style Odyssey (more about that later). We'd all never met before, and were such instant friends. I didn't want it to end. Then, we went to a fabulous event that Stephanie, who is a brilliant artist, told us about: ('hollywood glamour').



After a day at the beach, I had changed in the car into a little black sequin number from Topshop, and the moment I saw Stephanie, I just fell in love with her outfit. She was describing how she made it: 'you buy three Hanes wife-beater tees...' and said that she got the idea from another blogger, 'childhood flames' (do it yourself tees). I've bought my three-Hanes packet at Target, and am about to make my own. The core of the concept is you shred one tee and layer it over another.

I can't tell you how excited I am about this look: soon as I post this, while watching Antiques Roadshow, I plan to take scissor in hand, take a deep breath, and start shredding. This is all I want to wear for spring & summer: clouds of ethereal white, and palest pastels. I'm starting now: just extra layers.



Stephanie's accessorised her outfit with a necklace from.. well, here's her post on it.



I love Stephanie's style: she's such a pixie.. you know Kevin Bacon's wife, Kyra Sedgwick? The Closer? She's a bit like that with her warmth and humour and generous heart and honey coated, slightly southern drawl. I feel like we've always been friends, and always will.



And these are shot by Stephanie: her delightful friend, Jenny (their friendship formed through their husbands, sailors & boat guys), with me & Mr. Dot. Story of my life: he's in focus, and I'm a blur.



And this is my hand, shot by Stephanie on our blogger lunch in Boca. Our aesthetic is so similar, although our styles are individually our own. And wait til you see '-h's. It's uncanny: it's like we're all drawn together by something that's hard to describe. A zest for life, certainly, but more than that: we all see beauty in something similarly quirky, and indescribable. Or maybe we're just six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon.

Stephanie's DIY 'Hanes' dress: one small or medium white Hanes wife-beater tee, shredded as per childhood flames' do it yourself tees instructions. Layered over one XL Hanes wife-beater tee, a white long sleeve tissue tee by James Perse, and leggings by American Apparel. Boots by Fiorentini + Baker, from Barney's website.